1.
to stop by, to drop in
To visit a place briefly, usually on the way to somewhere else.
帰りにコンビニに立ち寄った。
I stopped by the convenience store on my way home.
駅の近くの本屋に立ち寄ってから会社に向かった。
I stopped by the bookstore near the station before heading to the office.
観光のついでに有名な神社に立ち寄ったら、思いがけず美しい庭園を見ることができた。
When I stopped by a famous shrine while sightseeing, I was able to see a beautiful garden unexpectedly.
2.
to approach, to draw near
To move closer to someone or something, often with a sense of proximity or closeness.
猫がそっと立ち寄ってきた。
A cat quietly drew near.
知らない人が立ち寄ってきたので、少し驚いた。
A stranger approached me, so I was a little surprised.
火に立ち寄ると危ないから、離れていなさい。
It's dangerous to go near the fire, so stay away.
立ち寄る is an intransitive verb (自動詞).
COMPOUND STRUCTURE:
- 立つ (to stand) + 寄る (to approach) → to stop and approach
SENSE 1 (to stop by):
ASPECT (ている): 立ち寄っている indicates being at a place one has stopped by.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ～に立ち寄る (stop by~)
- 帰りに立ち寄る (stop by on the way home)
- ついでに立ち寄る (stop by while you're at it)
- お立ち寄りください (please stop by - polite)
SENSE 2 (to approach, to draw near):
- ～に立ち寄る (approach~, draw near to~)
- 立ち寄ってくる (come closer)
RELATED NOUN:
- 立ち寄り: a stop, stopover; 立ち寄り先 = place one stops by
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 寄る: to stop by (simpler, more casual); also to approach
- 訪ねる: to visit (more formal, planned)
[Register: Neutral]